Refresh Dry Eye Therapy News

WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2015 – High pollen levels in the spring are linked to dry eye, a new study suggests. "Finding this correlation between dry eye and different seasons is one step toward helping physicians and patients treat the symptoms of dry eye even more effectively based on the time of year," said lead researcher Dr. Anat Galor, an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami. Dry eye causes burning, irritation and blurred vision. It costs the U.S. health system nearly $4 billion a year, Galor's team said in background information with the study. The researchers analyzed 3.4 million visits to Veterans Affairs eye clinics nationwide between 2006 and 2011. During that time, nearly 607,000 cases of dry eye were diagnosed. April had the highest rate of patients diagnosed with dry eye, nearly 21 percent. April is also when pollen levels usually peak each ... Read more

ISSUE: Altaire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that it is voluntarily recalling a total of nine (9) lots of Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution, 30 mL, to the consumer level. Due to complaints of mold found in the 30 mL bottles after use, concerns regarding the effectiveness of the preservative after use and handling of the product by consumers have prompted the recall. A product whose preservative may not be effective could lead to the use of a contaminated product which creates a potential risk for eye infection. BACKGROUND: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution is a non-prescription (OTC) drug product used to relieve dryness of the eye and packaged in a plastic bottle inside a unit box. The product is labeled as follows (refer the Firm Press Release for a detailed product list containing affected lot numbers): equate Restore Tears Lubricant Eye ... Read more